Labour hits at ‘slow coach’ approach to police governance review

A police authority has finally responded to criticism of “failing to act” over establishing an urgent governance review.

A group set up by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) to produce a “rapid” assessment more than two months ago has now formally announced its make-up, meeting arrangements and findings timetable.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the original measure in September, pledging to learn from the early operation of Police Scotland. Justice Secretary Michael Matheson asked new SPA chair Andrew Flanagan to undertake an “immediate” review.

The national police force has been hit by a series of controversies, with independent investigations under way into the death in custody of Fife man Sheku Bayoh and officers` failure to respond for three days into reports of a crash on the M9 in Stirlingshire where two people died.

But Graeme Pearson, Labour’s justice spokesperson in the Scottish Parliament, was quickest off the mark with the publication of his own “review”, claiming the issue was too important to be “kicked in to the long grass”.

Mr Pearson made ten recommendations for change, including the need for parliamentary oversight of all emergency services, resources to meet local need and a “more robust” SPA.

The former senior police officer said these had been submitted to Mr Matheson, Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House and the SPA.

Mr Pearson said: “It`s more than two months since the First Minister announced a review of policing in Scotland.

“In that time I have travelled the country speaking to officers and staff who tell me about the real problems in our police service which we must address urgently.

“My set of recommendations will start the process of rebuilding public trust and faith in our police force.

“The SNP Government`s policing review is not something they can kick into the long grass until after the Holyrood election.

“Public confidence in our police service is essential; we cannot go into an election without a rigorous examination of what has gone wrong, and a clear plan for the way ahead.”

The SNP said it was standing up for local policing in contrast to the situation in England and Wales, where six police and crime commissioners have threatened legal action over proposals for cuts to police budgets.

SNP MSP Roderick Campbell said: “While the Tories threaten local policing in England, Labour in Scotland has abandoned support for the Scottish Government`s commitment to 1,000 additional police officers.”

The review group will have eight members – including SPA chief executive John Foley – under Mr Flanagan.

Work is underway on all four strands of the remit and the country’s 32 local authorities have been actively invited to contribute.

The group has agreed to meet before the end of this month and report its findings by next March – well ahead of May’s Scottish Parliamentary elections.